Commitment #2

[jkflamebo]

Zac Rhodes, QB from New Braunfels, TX....TWO IN ONE DAY!!! IMPRESSIVE

[GoRedGoBlue]

August 20, 2005
SMU gets two in one day
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John Talman
Recruiting Analyst
The day was already big with one commitment in the books from an in-state offensive lineman Friday, but it got even bigger when a sleeper quarterback decided it was time for him to making his commitment to SMU.

[giacfsp]

Way to go, coaches!

The rivals version:

Zac Rhodes
Dual-threat quarterback
New Braunfels, Texas
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 195 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds
Bench max: 310 pounds
Squat max: 490 pounds

"I think I'm more of a drop back and pass type of guy, but I think I have the ability to get out of a bind with my speed when I need to."
-New Braunfels quarterback Zac Rhodes

The day was already big with one commitment in the books from an in-state offensive lineman Friday, but it got even bigger when a sleeper quarterback decided it was time for him to make his commitment to SMU.


New Braunfels (Texas) mobile quarterback Zac Rhodes decided along with Hutto (Texas) Lee Gonzales that it was their time to make their pick. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal caller had flown under the radar with interest coming from Tulane, BYU, and Navy. SMU offered and after careful thought, he made his choice known.

"I guess what prompted the decision was just the coaching staff and you knowing that someone genuinely has interest in you," Rhodes said. "It's not just about the business side of it, but they really think you can do something special."

There was some careful thought given to the other schools showing interest, but in the end he went with what felt right.

"I thought about waiting to see if anyone else offered," Rhodes said. "I thought it over and I just knew where I wanted to be."

It was not only the recruitment of Rhodes during his junior and senior years, but a moment at an SMU game when he was a sophomore.

"Coach Phil Bennett was at that game talking about how he wanted to turn the program around and I guess when I heard him say that, I knew I wanted to be a part of it," Rhodes said. "You can sense the passion of the game in these coaches."

Like many other prospects who make an early commitment, the pressure is off for Rhodes.

"It's definitely a load off," he said. "It's nice knowing you're going to a great school and you'll be able to play college football, which has been my dream. It's also nice knowing you don't have to apply and worry about getting into a school."

[ALEX LIFESON]

Welcome aboard Zac!!!

[Charleston Pony]

gotta recruit a QB in every class and with 2 SRs on this year's team. this is an important choice. Appears Zac has good size and speed and if he camped with SMU, the coaches have obviously had a chance to see him up close. Again, it's going to be important for these guys to have a couple of years to develop before they are thrown into the mix for any playing time.

For those who will bash this guy for not having any other offers, we all know what SMU is up againt in recruiting and nobody should expect Bennett to be signing guys who are loaded with offers from BCS schools. The key to SMU's getting out of the mess we're in is for these coaches to make good choices based on these guys' potential. We have to be able to find guys who have the physical tools and will work hard to show they belong in Division I-A...and we also have to hope that by their 3rd year in the program they are capable of contributing.

I've said it before and will say it again...it's critical that SMU improve on last year's 3 wins and that by 2006 we post a winning season. Start winning and more guys will give SMU a look. We've got very nice facilities and a lot going for us compared to other non-BCS programs. With a few changes that have been well documented on the academic side of admissions practices, no reason we shouldn't be able to compete for championships in CUSA.

Now, let's hope Zac goes out and has a great SR year...and that others come calling with offers...and that he remains true to his commitment.

[HorsePower]

Exactly -- the bluest of blue-chip recruits, those who already have a slew of offers from around the country, either have or will commit elsewhere, most likely. However, a strong senior season will make other recruits' stock rise. Hopefully Rhodes and Gonzalez continue to draw more and more attention and offers.

Welcome to SMU, guys!

[BUS]

Welcome to SMU!

For a QB he has very good strength and pretty fast too.

Two in a day, but I see nothing in the Sunday DMN?

[Stallion]

this kid does appear to have nice speed for a 6-2 QB although that stats listed in Rivals are not verified. Finished 3rd in his 4A District in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.22. But what is more unusal is that he also throws the discus- 133-7 for the track team. Very unusual combination.

[SoCal_Pony]

For those who will bash this guy for not having any other offers, we all know what SMU is up againt in recruiting and nobody should expect Bennett to be signing guys who are loaded with offers from BCS schools.

CP,

Look at Bennett’s first class as presented on Ponyfans.com. 10 Rival 3-stars, most of whom received BCS offers. 2-Star players such as Bryan Turner, who was offered by Houston and Memphis, Kenard Burley, who was offered by Baylor, Reynaldo Pellerin, offered by TCU and UTEP, or Lucky Delay, offered by West Virginia.

Look at Bennett’s class last year. Only 1 player with quality BCS offers.

Look at his first two signings this year. Combined only 1 other offer, SFA.

If that doesn’t bother you…what will????

[Stallion]

Given a 2 star and 5.2 rating by Rivals. Had to beat out an All-District QB to even get on the field last year. Was injured for at least 2 games with an ankle sprain. Team went 6-5 and won a game in the playoffs. Going into last game was 69-132 for 936 yards 52.3 %, 8 Ints and 8 TDs. Texas Football says in all games he passed for 1,040 yards and had 492 yards rushing. Listed as a FAB 50 QB(National) by FAB 50 Recruiting service-BUT that service is really bad-they have 18 out of 50 QBs from Texas-not sure if they are ranked in order but he is listed 50th. They list him as 6-0 tall as does the Scout (formerly the Insiders) service. Also, at the Region Track meet his team finished 4th in the 4*100 Meter Relay and 7th in the 4*200 Meter Relay.

[Stallion]

2005 Fall Scrimmages:

Against Frederickburg last Friday:

Rhoades had 3 TD passes of 52, 54 and 3 yards. Had another TD pass called back on a holding penalty. His coach said: "Zach did a really good job of managing the game for us. He is really getting progressively better at knowing when and where to throw the football"

Againsts Kingsville:

had 3 more TD passes. His Coach said " Zach played real well, there were 3 TD passes from him. There weren't any interceptions and no turnovers of any kind, which is really important to me"

[SMUguy]

Good stuff, Stallion.

[Charleston Pony]

SoCal: don't get me wrong. I'd love to be hearing about commitments from guys who have been offered by half a dozen BCS schools, but that's not where this program is right now. Let's just hope some of those guys who had BCS offers (Massey and Cleveland come to mind) are ready to start contributing on the field this year. Wasn't Justin Boren another one of those guys who was fairly highly recruited in that class?

[SoCal_Pony]

SoCal: don't get me wrong. I'd love to be hearing about commitments from guys who have been offered by half a dozen BCS schools, but that's not where this program is right now.

The problem CP is we are not debating guys with a 'half a dozen' BCS offers. How about 1 quality BCS offer? How about quality non-BCS offers?

Per Ponyfans, here is a list of last years' class who received BCS offers:

David Allison – Colorado, Syracuse, Baylor
Clayton Cox – Baylor
Bryce Hudman – Iowa State
Emmanuel Sanders- Kansas and Baylor
Emerson Settle - Kansas

That is a substantial drop-off from the prior 2 years. So far this year appears more of the same. Not Good.

[abezontar]

what do you expect when we can't pay off the recruits in money, sex and drugs? Until someone "ponies" up the money we will never get any better. I know, I know that's wrong and immoral, but honestly do you think there is anyone in the world today that is in a position of power, fame, fortune....whatever that has gotten there by playing by the rules? The rules are for people like you and me that have ethical standards and morals, not for those who want to be the best in college football, succeed in politics, or business.